I was born on the 10th March, 1998 in a province of Jambi, Indonesia.

My parents named me
quite a long name as my name is Reynaldo Angga Yonathan. As we are of Chinese descent they also
gave me the name of 楊華鋒 which I did not understand what it means until I started learning
Chinese. As any parent would want the best for their children, my parents make me and my little
brother take a lot of private course in early childhood, particularly English and Mandarin.

I was having trouble learning Mandarin, as I could not remember many things that I had
learned after I finished the course. But I did well in English, so I keep learning it for at least 6 years
continuously. As I keep learning English, my parents took me to many different English learning
institute.

I remember the first English learning institute that I went had a very Caucasian western
teacher, and he was quite an eccentric person but he’s very friendly and fun to interact with. We
would learn and play together with the other classmate. He may not speak any Bahasa Indonesia,
but we’re still able to communicate with him. Unfortunately, my time with there was cut short as I
was about to learn in a different place. But it was a memorable moment in my life as it was the first
time I learn different language.

Having lived my life so far only knowing my mother tongue and English, I started to consider
whether I should learn different language as I was about to graduate high school and attend college.
As I thought that knowing multiple language would be useful, beside my parents want me to study
abroad so It would help me communicating with different people across the world.

At first, I thought of getting a major in Digital Art at Singapore as I saw Singapore as a very
diverse country. But my parents want me to take a different major instead, and after much
consideration I changed my mind and decided to go to Taiwan studying International Business. I may
not have been able to pursue Digital Art major, but I did not regret my decision.

With that in mind, I started learning Chinese again. Although as my immediate family has
only been using a few Chinese phrase, my Chinese skills are somewhat limited. Thus, I find it difficult
yet again learning Mandarin as I feel that the teaching method from my teacher are not fit for me.
Nonetheless, I manage to learn enough and to test what I had learnt, I tried to take a Chinese
Proficiency Test (HSK). Although I had only started out learning Mandarin, I manage to pass HSK level
1. I wish I could go further with my Chinese Proficiency Test, but I was about to study abroad and I
did not have time to attend another test.

When the time comes, I finally went and study abroad to Taiwan in Tamkang University.
Fortunately, I can continue my Chinese study here as they provide Chinese class for foreign student.
This is when I learnt about Bopomofo and it makes learning Chinese pronunciation easier. I’m able to
keep up and expand my Chinese knowledge, but I can only manage to take classes for 2 semesters as
my classes schedule are proven too much for me.

After I graduate from Tamkang University, I plan to continue my study to master either in
China or Taiwan. But because of the current global pandemic, I had to choose the latter. In the
meantime, before continuing my study I decide to learn Chinese again and went to Fu Jen University,
as my Chinese had also become somewhat rusty. With my continuous attempt in learning Chinese, I
feel that my Chinese skill became better and better compare to my past self. After I finish my
Chinese study, I will attend master here in Fu Jen University. Beside taking the required Master
course and the necessary elective course that would be useful to learn, I will also continue my
Chinese study during my Master study if future schedule deems it possible.